Conveyer.



c." 11.,- SEEBERGER'.

GONVEYER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 2, 1905.

' Pamented Jan.7,19t3;

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W|TNESSES:

0. D. SEBBERGER.

CONVEYER. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 2, 1905.

Patented Jan. 7,1913.

mnmsrsnnm 2.

,w ATTORNEYS.

G. -D. SBBBERGER. GONVEYER.

AYPLIOATION FILED Nov. 2, 1905.

Patented Jan. 7, 1913.

wz'massas: D INVENTOR (CW/P455 Q ffz'aeiwaza'.

W/DVESSES:

0. 1). ,SEEBBRGER.

CONVEYBB. APPLIOATIOK FILED F012, 1906.

4 sums-sum 4,

fl/S ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 7, 19 13.-

CItIfiRLIES D. SEEBERGER, 3F NEW YORK, N. "i1, ASSEGIQ OR TO OTIS ELEVATOR COTE- IANY, A. CQRORATION OF NEVI JERSEY.

CONVEYER.

. (A fl il-like Specification of Letters Fatent.

1 r s i o: i. atom ell Jan. a l in.

To all 70720121 it may concern Be it known that I, CHAnLns D. sis-R, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Conveyors, of which the following is' aspecification, reference being had therein to the accompanying cit-swin This invention has reference to certain improvements in that class of conveyors eniployecl for transporting passengers between cliiierent floors or levels; and the features and objects of the same will be pointed out in tire accompanying description.

lie invention Consists of the organic..-

tions and arrangements of parts hereinafter particularly described and then. pointed out in theaccompanying claims.

In the accompanying clraivings l igure- 1 is a view in side elevation, partly diagram:

'inatic, of a traveling stairway embodying my present invention and arranged for transporting in either direction, with one hand-rail omitted; 2 is a plan view of the some showing both hand-rails; Fig. 3 is b. diagrammatic View in side elevationpt the l.ower landing showing inocliiiecl ariange nient of hanchrail; Fig. t is a plon'view of the construction shown in Fig. 3; 5 is a side elevation of one of the step units and associated links; Fig. 6 is a View in front elevation of the seine; Fig. 7 is a plan view of the same Fig. 8 is a sine view of one of the members of the carriage through which the traveling stairway passes from one run to the other; Fig. 9 is a on t in line 9-9 of Fig. 8; Fig. 1%) is a. View in sicle elevation of; one of the track sections for the upper or transporting run of the stairway; Fig. 11 is a sectional View on theline ll-11 of Fig. Fig. 12 is a side view of one of the track sections for the return. run of the traveling stairway; Fig.13 is a section on the line 13-13 0i Flf 12; Fig. 14 is a cross section of the traveling hand-rail; Fig. 15 is a planview of the hand-rail guide; and Fig. 16 is a section on the line 16-46 of Fig. 15.. i

A series of steps 20 iseziapted to travel in either direction upon the tracks or hearing Fig. 8

surfaces 21 ancl 22, and in the clevice illus" tratcd (liagrannnatically in 1 the direction of movement is that of a clown-- carrying machine. These tracks in present embodiment of the. invention are on different levels on the incline, the tracks 21 being above and outsitle of the tracks 22, and at the upper ancl lower levels ancl 24, respectively, the tracks of the carrying run are in substantially the same horizontal plane as shown in Fig. 6, to bring the tread surfacesot the steps into alineinentform horizontal lanclings, as shoivnon Fig. 1. At the end of the lower landing the steps pass through a carriage, as to from the transporting run. lit the opposite or upper end of the eon'veyerfthe lower and upper tracks 26 and. 7 for the return run of the stairway are continued traclzs 290i carriage 36. This carriage consists of two members similar to that shown with the tracks on the inner or tacing sides. The outer track as shown in 8 is arranged horizontally for 2. suit able distance and then describes a suitable curve, as at 31, to its pointoi' termination. The lower and inner track 2-3 is also horizontal. for a suitable distance anti th in'zinates in a suitably curved }JOlT-i@l'1"39 shown as crossing the other z. The

members oi the carriage are also proviclecl with an inner tra it 33, which is curved from a point over the curvecl track 32 to the point and then extends horizontally anti also ith an outer track 35 which extends in a curve beyond the point 3% antl then sinks to the level of the horizontal portion of the track as shown in Fig. 9. The tracks 21 and 22 for the upper or transporting run of the stairway the end adjacent the carriage 86 are inersfefi into tracks 35 and 33, respectively, of the carriage. The members of the carriage 30 are preferably made of single or unitary Q castings in oroler that the tracks thereof may be accurately positioned with reference to the tracks of the upper and lower runs of the traveling stairway and to insure the path of the connections of thestegis losing of mo constant length. y

Throa font the entire cycle or couise oi.

the 5 28 and 7 the stairway, in the present embodiment of the invention, the tracks are 1n parallel vertlcal planes, as shown in Figs. 9, 11 and 13, and the associated tracks on each side of the machine are preferably made 111' integral castings, as 37 and 38, Figs. to 13, of con- 1 venient lengths so that they can be readily and accurately assembled, and these castings or sections may be secured to the supporting structure in any suitable manner. The tracks 21 and 22 of the section or casting 37 for the upper run adjacent the carriage 30 are reduced in width or recessed as at 39,

Fig. 11, and slide tracks 40, which are pret-' erably of steel, are secured, by bolts, in such recesses. The carriage tracks and 35 are also reduced in width or recessed, and the track-base or web 41 is provided with flanges 42 which with the recessed tracks form guide-ways for the slide tracks 40, to guard and prevent lateral, movement of the said slide tracks. The flanges 4-2 are not necessary ,in the track section 37 as the slide tracks are bolted thereto. The slide tracks 40 practically fill the recesses in the tracks 33 and 35, allowing only sufficient clearance for the endwise movement of the carriage.

The tracks 26 and 27 of the return run are also recessed adjacent the carriage, as shown in Figs. 12 and 13, and provided with slide tracks 43 which are seated in similar recesses in the adjacent ends of the tracks 28 and 29. The combined width of the recessed tracks and slide tracks is the same as the normal width of the tracks, thereby rendering the track surface flush at the points of connection. By reason of the track con nections described I secure the required -Width of cast iron track necessary to insure the proper strength and also a thick steel slide track, thereby making a material i'm'- provement in wearing quality.

The tracks at the lower end of the machine may be connected to the tracks of the carriage 25 in the same manner.

The members f the carriage are connected by a cyli lrical flanged sleeve 30, as shown in Fig. 9. On the outer face of each member or the carriage upper and lower bearing *tlanges 31 and 32, respec tively, are formed, being positioned on op posite side. of the cylindrical connecting sleeve. These flanges rest upon anti-frictron rollers 33, which 1n turn rest upon tracks 34' suitably secured ,to the supporting structure. Any suitable means may be employed for moving the carriage to take up slack in the connected series of steps to hold the same taut. By reason of the employm ent of the intermediate supporting roller; 33 the travel of the carriage is in- 4 creased, being double that of the rollers.

Each-step is composed of a suitable frame 44 havlng a tread and overhanging riser, and IS P'I'OVIdGd with an axle bar 45 fixed thereto and the ends of which extend beyond the ends of the step, as shown in Fig. 7. Each step has a carriage or wheel base comprising yokes composed of oppositely ex tending arms 46 and' t'T, fixed on the ends of the axle bar 4-5, and the arms provide bearings for the wheels 18 and 49 cooperating with the inner and outer tracks 22 and 21, respectively, the wheelse LS being the front wheels looking up the stairway. Links 50 and 51 connect the axle steps and these links are rack-bars. I

The alternate links connect alternate pairs of axle bars and are preferably arranged in the form of male and female links, each end of the male link 50 being provided with an outwardly extending sleeve 52, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7, loosely receiving the axle bar and on which a collar 53 at the adjacent end of the female link 51 is pivoted. By reason of the construction described each step and its yokes are practically a unit and free to revolve in the sleeves of the links or allow the links to revolve about this unitary construction in passing the angles or in turning through the ends of the machine, more fully set forth in an application for patent filed by me October 18, 1905, Serial Number 283,302.

In the construction illustrated and as shown in Figs.-6 and 7, the linkage is pivoted between the step frames and yokes and the wheels on the yokes are outside of the linkage. By having the linkage at the side of the stepsthe dimension from the Wheel base to the tread is much smaller than it usually is where the links are placed. under the steps owing to the clearance required for the riser in this latter construction. Furthermore, by this arrangement the steps are free to turn over when passing around the ends so that their treads may on both runs whereby the machine may also be used for transporting upon its return run if desired.

The front arm 46 of each yoke is preferably shorter than the rear arm. whereby the tracks on the incline may be located nearer together requiring les. depth of girder. The axle or line of the joint of the links is in advance of the center of the tread when viewed looking up the stairway and the wheel base iswider than the tread so that the passengers weight is practically carried by the wheels on the long arms and his position within the area of the carriage is insured. so that stability of the step is provided and all tendency of the step to tilt is obviated. Also by making the rear arms of the yoke longer than the front arms the step may be made wider so as to extend the foot in the form of space more to an area between the lines of its riser and axle and by this construction i the overhanging nosing Wlll be prevented bars of adjacent be uppermost tions and are resents from striking the foot of the passenger. The yoke arms for the rear wheels are bent upwardly and laterally to pass over the tracks of the front wheels, as clearly shown in Figs. 6 and 7. As shown in Figs. 5 and t3, the centers of the axle bar and Wheels of each step unit are in line, and while the front arm 4:8 may be straight the rear arm @7 is bent. upwardly or curved between the wheel 49 and axle bar. I

As the wheels of each step enter the cartriage 30, assuming the stairway to descend, he wheel i9, which is herein termed the rear Wheehrides on the outer track 29 the wheel 48 engaging the tracgr 28. The curved portion 32 carries thew 1861 all into engagement with the track 83 while the curved track 31 is extended far enough to guide the wheel 4-9 i to the-track 35. By curving the arm l? such arm clears the angle or bend at 3% 80 that the s te is nided throu 'h the carriage Without raising the nosing of the step above the floor level, as would result were the arm 47 not curved as described.

As shown in 7, the axle bar may be made in sections, consisting v.in the present instance of a. central section and end. sections 54 on which the lihks are pivoted and to which the yokes are fixed. These sections are connected together by collars which receive the adjacent ends of the secfixed thereto by suitable pins This arrangement is designed for convenience in taking out a unit and to aii'ord access to the insidefor repairs or other purposes. The former may be accomplished by removing the pins 56 connecting the end sections to the central axle bar section and then withdrawing the yokes to slip the end sections out of the links and step frame. In itdesired to under the steps it is first necessary to remove the tread andthen by sliding the collars upon the central section of the aid: after the pins are withdrawn the central section may be taken out to enal re the worlonan to drop down through D opening, which otherwise would. be prevent e as, tunes the stand.-

of the vertical to" by such step. '7, indicate the portio "here ininri'erenco is orianco in a dcgel Hilly l is he olin passed space under the over liangin; 1 F the cat step and it. too close pn: y the nosing of the next step it r'ievelops from the upper landing downwarc The steps are driven in either direction, depending upon whether the stairway is to be employed for ascending or descending, by means of any suite. le drive. The teeth of each of the rack bars are located entirely between the articulations theroot, a space instead of a tooth being located at. its end under the pivotalcenter or axle thus obviating or reducing the tendency of the links to tilt as the end tooth of each link engages a driving pinion.

As indicated in Fig. 1 the traveling stairay is provided with a halustradc 5!) provided at its upper edge with a hand-rail guide (30 (Figs. 15 and 16). The balustrade at one side (if the stairway is deflected across the landing steps of the stairway to provide a. stationary shunt, as indicated at 61in Fig. 1. 'l l l'iere to be reversible, that is to adapted to be employed for ascei'iding or descending, a similar shunt is located at. the opposite end, so that whichcverway the stairway is run 'ning a shunt will be located at'its exit. In the present instance the exits are located at the same side of the stairway. By this arrangement, that is to say by providing two side landings, it. its ble todischarge the load laterally in the use of the machine for transporting in either direction.

.Suitablo traveling hand-rails are ennployod and where the stairway is reversible one of the hand-rails is arranged to provide a traveling shout at each landing, as shown in l igs. l and=2. To this end one of the hand-rails, as (32, passes from a horizontal drive pulley 63, located at the upper end of the conveyer and over the landing steps, across the landing steps along the guide at the upper edge of the shunt 61, as at G l, to the'opposite side oi": the conveyer. It then passes, assuming the stairway to be used for descending, over a pulley (S5 rotating in a vertical plane and in the direction of the arrow, Fig. l, and located at the top oi the incline. hand-rail 'iasses in the direction of the av rows along the guide (30' on the balustradc at the side of tho co'nveyer to the bottom of the incline where it is deflected by the guide at the lower shunt 4S1 across the steps, as at 36, at the lower landingand then passes to the front of and around a horizontal drive pulley o2 located adjacent the end of the steps at the lower landing. From the pul ley 67 the lu'ancl-rail passes to and under an idler (38 located in the present instance nearllie bot-loin oi the incline; l

From the pulley the thence to a pulley the stairway is designed lilti- & 1,049,613

deflecting the hand-rail across the land ing steps su h hand raihacts as a traveling shunt to direct the passenger from the con vcyer before the body comes into contact with the associated stationary shunt. This hand-rail 62 may be driven in any suitable manner. In the present instance, power is applied to the hand-rail at the ends of the machine and preferably to the oppositely moving runs thereof intermediate the ends by suitable driving connections for the pulleys G3, G5. 67 and 69. verse shaft '72, which may be driven from the drive for the stairway, is located under the transporting run of the stairway and motion is communicated from this shaft to a cbunter shaft 73 by. a chain and sprocke'tt connect-ion F t. The horizontal shaft 7 5 on which the pulley 69 is fixed is driven fro-m the shaft 73 by a chain and sprocket connection 76. The shaft 75 transmits lliOtlOn tothe'shaft 77, on which the pulley (35 isfixed, through the medium of a chain and sprocket connection 78. A chain and sprocket connection 79 between the shaft 77 and a horizont'al shaft 80 drives the upper pulley G3,

by means of suitable bevel gearing81 between the shaft 80 and the vertical shaft 82 on which the horizontal pulley (33 is fixed. A suitable connection, such as the chain 83, transmits motion from a sprocket wheel 8-!- driven from the drive of the stairway to a sprocket wheel 85 fixed on a horizontal shaft 86, and this shaft transmits motion, through suitable bevel gearing 87 to the vertical shaft 88 on which the horizontal pulley G7 at the lower end of the stairway is fixed. The driving contact of either of the pulleys 3 ,and 67 is greater than a semi-circle, and the combined contact of the pulleys and 99, which are located adjacent the top of the incline, is practically two semi-circles. This increased area of contact is designed to pre-' vent slippage.

A short hand-rail 89 is located at the op-' 'posite side of the stairway and passes over viding increased area of contact with the rail. Motion is communicated tothe handrail 89 in the present instance by means of admin and sprocket connection 94 between the shaft 72 and a counter shaft 95, the latter shaft communicating motion by asuitable connection'to the horizontal-shaft 96 on which the pulley 92 is fixed, and

To this end a tra'ns-.

thence communicates motion to the shaft 97 on which the pulley 90 is fixed through the medium of a suitable chain and sprocket connection 98 between the shafts 9G and 97. lVhile the driving connections for the handrails have been referred to as chain and sprocket connections, it. is to be understood that such connections may be of any other suitable character.

The pulleys 90 and 91 are located at the ends of the incline so as to provide suitable spaces at the shunts for passengers to get on and off the landing steps. Both handrails are driven at practically the same speed as the conveyer, and by reason of the application of power to both pulleys 63 and 67 slack in the hand-rail along the balustrade is prevented as the hand-rail is pulled along the hand-rail guide irrespective of the direction of the movement. This is also true of the short hand-rail 89 owing to the fact that power may be applied at the end of its operative run so that the rail is pulled along. This 'avoids slack in the hand'rails at the hand grasp portions. i

In order to maintain the hand-rails at the proper tension, means are preferably provided for taking up the slack in the event of stretching of the same due to wear. This may be accomplished in any suitable manner. In the present. embodiment of the invention the pulley 70. as shown in Fig. 1, has its hubs 99 jourualed between a pair of guides 100, the inner faces of which are recessed as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1 to prevent lateral movement of the pulley. This pulley is provided with an arbor 101 the ends of which are provided in a yoke 102 having a threaded extension 103 which passes through the end of the guide frame. A nut 104 on the end of the threaded extension serves to adjust the pulley in the guides to take up the slack in the hand-rail so as to maintain the latter always at the desired tension. This adjustment may be accomplishedwhile the hand-rail is in motion and without interfering with the operation of the same. An adjustment similar to thatdescribed for the hand-rail 62 may also be employed for taking up slack in the handrail 89. I

Where the traveling stairway is employed for ascending, the hand-rails may be arranged as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, each of such hand-rails, as 105, at the lower end of the conveyor passing on the return run under a pulley 106 located near the bottom of the incline, thence to an angularly disposed pulley 107 adjacent the end of the horizontal lower landing and from the latter along the balustrade to provide the ascending run of the h and-rail.

The hand-rail may be of any suitable character, being preferably substantially elliptical in cross section, as shown in Fig.

weenie i i, with the underface of the same cut out to adapt it to fit on the guide strip 60, 'the inturned edges, provided by the cut out portion, being located the oppositesides of the belustracle and covered to prevent exposure thereof. The hand-rail is made of number of plies and in the present instance is shown as co-nsistingof one continuous sheet of suitable material 108, such as canvas, folded back and forth into a number of plies, one ply, such as the outside ply, being continued and folded across the folded edges 109 of the other plies, and inclosing the edge of the first layer, as shown in l i, providing a wear strip for the tractive surface of the handrail. With a hand-rail built up of a number oi plies of material the difficulty has-been that the plies soon show rough'eclges which interfere with the guides and pulleys causing friction and also resulting in raveling. out of the edges of the various plies, in time destroying the rail. With the present arrangement all edges are covered. up and protected and therefore cannot come into contact with.

either the guide or pulleys.

it will of course be understood that the anvas or other fabric of which the handrail is made may be coated with or erubcd-ded in rubber or other suitable material, is usual in his class of devices. 1

The hand ail guide 60, Will6l1 consists of a single st-i p, prcfc ably of brass, is provided on its upper-face with longitudinal ribs or bearing stir-faces 110 which serve to support and upon-which it slides. The side edges are preferably rounded as at 111 and by reason of their engagement with the curved inner faces of the hand-rail prevent sidewisedcilcction of the latter. The guide '36 may be secured to the balustrade in any suitable manner, by screws passing through the openings 1:12. The bearing sur faces 110 serve to support the rail. {3n the straight run normally there s clearance between the rounded edges 111,- and the handrail. Atthe curves, as around the shunt and turns, the rounded edges serve as supports on which the rail slides. By this dcsign 1 secure greater durability of guide and minimum surface of contact, thereby reducing friction.

Having described myinvcntion what I claim as new and desire to secure by Lettcrs Patent of the United States, is-

1. In adeviceo'f the class described, a step the wheel-base of which comprises oppo site arms, provided with carrying wheels, one of said arms being deflected upwardly between its ends.

2. in a device of the class described, the combination with tracks forming a way, of

series or link connected steps the wheelbase of each or which comprises opz'iositely extending arms provided with wheels adapt bent upwardly between the ends.

combination with inner and: outer tracks forming a way, of a series of link connected steps, oppositely extending wheel-base arms fixed to each step, and wheels supportingthe steps and mounted on the arms, the wheels associated with the step riser extending beyond the same, and the arms carrying such Wheels crossing the inner tracks and being In a device of the class described, the coinbination'with inner and outer tracks for; ling a way having horizontal and curved end portions, of'a series of connected steps, the wheel-base of each, of which comprises oppositely extending arms provided withwheels adapted to travel on the tracks, the.

I arms carrying the wheels for the outer tracks crossing the inner tracks and extending up wardly between the ends to clear the inner tracks at the angles between the horizontal and curves. l

5. In a device of the class described, a step unit comprising a step, an axle bar thereto, and oppositely extending wheelbase arms fixed to the axle bar and having one pair of arms bent outwardly and also bent upwardly.

'6. In a device of the class described, a series of steps provided with axle bars, links conneclin the axle bars and 0p aositel extending arms fixed to the axle bars and providing awhcel-basc, one pair of such arms being longer than the other and bent up 'wardly between the ends.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination with inner and outer tracks forming a. way, of a series of connected steps each having a wheelbase the arms of which are ofhuncvcn length, the wheels on the outer tracks being on the longer arms and such arms being bcnt upwardly to clear the inner tracks at the turns.

8. In a device of the class described, the conibiuation with inner lower and outer upp'cr'inclinccl tracks extending in the same horizontal plane at the landing and connecting with curved tracks for. the return, of a series of stops having axle bars located in advance of the center of the tread of such stop, wheel-base arms fixed to thc axle bars and the front arms ofwhich are provided with wheels adapted to the inner tracks and the rear arms of which are longer than the other arms and provided with wheels adapted to the outer tracks, the said rear arms crossing the inner tracks and also being bent upwardly to clear the inner track angles to prevent the steps rising above the level of the landing.

9. In a device of the class described, a step, a wheel-base therefor comprising oppositely cntei'iding arms fixed to the step, the axes of being bent upwardly from such line.

11. In a device of the class described, a step, and a wheel yoke therefor having one of its arms bent with reference to the vertical and horizontal planes.

12. In a device of the class described, the combination with a circuit consisting of inner and outer inclined tracks having horizontal landing portions and curved tracks connecting with the latter for the return, of a series of steps provided with oppositely extemling arms provided with wheels, the arms carrying the wheels for the outer tracks crossing the inner tracks and being bent upwardly to clear the inner tracks as the steps pass to or leave the curves and prevent the steps being raised above the landing level.

13. In a device of the class described, a series of steps, and a single series of links connecting the steps and each link having its teeth entirely between the articulations thereof.

11-. In a device of the class described, the eon'ibination with tracks forming a way, of steps having wheels adapted to the tracks, and a single series of links pivotally connecting the steps, each of such links having teeth on its under side and a space at the ends under the pivotal centers.

15. lit a device of the class described, the combination with tracks forming a way, of steps each of which is provided with an axle bar, wheel-base arms fixed to the axle bar, and rack links pivoted on the axle bars and connecting the steps, each of such rack links having a space at the ends under their pivot centers to obviate tilting of the links as the end tooth is engaged by the driving pinion.

16. in a device of the class described, the combination wi h tracks and a carriage at the terminal there f, of a step with wheelbase broader than the tread of the step, the center of the wheel-base being back of the center of the tread, whereby no portion of the step rises above the level of the landing.

17. In a device of the class described, a step unit comprising a step, an axle-bar fixed thereto in advance of the center line of the tread, and a wheel-base wider than the tread and comprising oppositely extendingarms fixed to the axle bar, the center of the wheel-base being back of the center of the tread.

$8. In a device of the class described, a

of the arms being upwardly step having an axle bar. a wheel-base comprising oppositely extending arms fixed to the axle bar, and wheels on the arms, the said axle bar and the wheel centers being substantially in line, and the center of the tread being in front of the center of the wheel-base.

19. In a device of the class described, a step unit comprising a step, an axle bar fixed thereto in advance of the center line of the tread, and a wheel-base wider than the tread and comprising oppositely extending arms fixed to the axle bar, one of the arms being upwardly and outwardly curved.

20. In a device of the class described, a series of steps provided with axle bars in advance of the centers of the treads, links connecting th e axle bars, and oppositely extending arms fixed to each axle bar \iding a wheelbase, one of the arms being upwardly and outwardly curved.

21. la a device of the class described, a step, and a wheel base therefor comprising oppositely extending arms fixed to the step in advance of the center line of the tread, one of the arms being upwardly and. outwardly curved.

In a device of the class described, a step having an axle bar, a wheel-base .comprising oppositely extending arms fixed to the axle bar, and wheels on the arms, the said axle bar a fit l the wheel centers being substantially in line, and the axle bar being in front of the centerline of the tread, one and outwardly curved.

23.1n a device of the class described, tracks having recesses in their abutting ends, and a slide track secured in the recess of one track and seated in the recess of the other track.

A. In a device of the class described,

tracks having side recesses at their abutting ends, and a slide track secured in the recess of one track and slitlingly filling the recess of the other track.

and pro- In a device of the class described,"

tracks having side recesses at their abutting ends, a slide track secured in the recess of one track and practically filling the recess of the other track, the latter track being provided with a flange to guard the slide track.

26. In a device of the class described, a track section having inner and outer tracks provided at the ends with side recesses, a

carriage having tracks abutting the said inner and outer tracks and also having recesses, slide tracks secured in the recesses of the inner and outer tracks and seated in the recesses of the carriage tracks with sufficient clearance for the endwise movement of the carriage, and flanges guarding the slide tracks.

27. In a device of the class described,&

therefor consisting of a strip having longitudinal raised bearing surfaces on its upper face to support the handrail and upon which itslides.

50. In a device of the class described, a moving hand-rail having intnrned edges, a stationary guide Stl'ttCltllttl by the hand-rail and having longitudinal bearing gurfaces on its; upper face to support the handrail and on which it slides.

.31. in. a device of the class described, a mov ng hand-rail having inturned edges, a stationary guide traddled by the hand-rail and having rounded edges engaged by the inner side surfa es of the hand-rail to prevent sidewise dellection of the latter.

32. In a device of the class described, a moving handrail subs";antiall} elliptical in cross section and open at its under side, a stzitionacv guide strip by which the handrail straddled and having longitudinal bearing surhiccs on its upper face to sup port the hand-rail and n whi h it slides and rounded edg s engaged by the inner sides of the hrada'ail to prevent sidcwise (.lcllection ol the. latter.

531. In a devi e of the class described, a moving haul-rail having inturned curved sides, a stati nary guide having a raised bearing surt'ace on it upper face to support the hand-rail on the straight rum and rounded edges: on which the hand-rail slides at the turnfs.

54. in a device (l the class descril'ied, a moving hand-rail lll) ,l't1lllltlll ir' elliptical in crossse tion and open longitudinally on its under side, a stationary guide straddled by the hand-rail and ha ing a bearing surface on it;-: upper face with which the tractive t'ace ol the hand-rail engages on the straight run. the guide having rounded edges which on the Straight run prevent sidewise detiection of the hand-rail and on the curves become the supports on which the rail slides.

5.3. in a device/oi the class described, a

'inoxing hand-rail t'or a'convever, a horizontal drive wheel for the hand-rail at: each end ol the convcver whereby the hand-grasp portion ot the rail is pulled along irrespective oi' the direction of movement, and a vertical drive wheel for each run ot the hamhrail.

fit}. in a devi e of the class described, the combination with a conveyor connecting di llercnt levels, of a traveling hand-rail, and a drive tl'ieret'or located at thoend of the incline and consisting of two pulleys connected by a sprocket chain.

5'7. In a device oi? the class described, a moving hand-rail. means for carrying the handrail, an idler t'or taking up slack in the haudrail, and an adjusting device on which the l5tl((*ll]) idler is pivoted.

58. In a device of the class described. a moving hand-rail, a drive therefor, an idler for taking up slack in the hand-rail, a guide 1!] which the idler slides and turns, and an adpisting device for sliding the idler. I

at). In a deuce ot the class tlOSCllbCdff a moving handrail. a drive therefor, an idler for taking up slack in the handrail and having a hub. a guide, in which the hub 18 journaled and in which it. is free to slide,

and an adjusting yoke on which the idler is pivoted.

(30. 111 a device of the class described, a moving handrail, a drive there tor, an idler for taking up slack in the hand-rail and having a hub. guide bara between which the hub is journaled and having recesses re eiving the hub to prevent lateral inoven'ient. of the idler. a \'()l\'() on which the idler is pivoted and having a threaded stem. and a nut on the mltlll 'lor adjnaliug the yoke to slide the idler along the guide liars.

G1. traveling hand-rail for a convcyer onnecting (litter-cut levels. a drive for the hand-rail located at the end of the incline and ihlhllltfj or" more than (110 driving pullev, and means tor taking up slack in the hand-rail.

(52. in a devi e of the class described, the Combination with a couvever connecting dill'erent levels, or traveling hand-rail, a drive tl'ierel'or located at the end of the in clinc and consisting of two pulleys connected by a sprocket chain, and an adjustable idler for avoiding slack in the hand ail.

(3 in a device ol. the class described, the conibinalitm with a convevcr, ot' a hand-rail, a drive the'rel'or having more than a semicircle of contact with the hand-rail at practically the same pointwvith reference to the conveyor, an idlea', and means lor adjusting the idler to maintain the hand-rail at the proper tension.

G4. in a device of the class described, a traveling hand-rail, a drive located at a certain point and providing more than a Femicir le of driving contact with the rail. and an idler for adjusting the tension of the hand-rail.

($5. in a device of the class described, the combination with a. conveyer, of a traveling hand-rail. a drive therefor with more than a send-circle of contact with the hand-rail at practically the same point with reference to the ct'invever. an idler for taking up slack in the hand-rail, a guide in which the idler slides and turns, and an adjusting device for sliding the idler.

6G. in a device of the class described, the combination with a convcyer having an inclined run and a horizontal landing portion at the end of the incline, of a travelinglnindrail passing along one side of the incline and crossing the landing portion, pulleys at; the ends of the conveyor, a driving pulley engaging each run of the hand-rail, an angularly disposed pulley for deflecting the in whieh the nngnlurly disposed pulley rotales, and a deviee for sliding the pulley in the guide to take up slack in the hand-rail.

67. In a device of the class described, the

eonibiimt-ion with a (conveyor having an inclined run and horizontal landing portions at the ends of the'im'line, of a traveling hand-rail passing along one side of the incline and erossing hoth landing portions, horizontal driven pulleys at. the ends of the landing portions around \vhit-h the Emil passes, :1 \ei'litnl driven pulley engaging wan-h run ol. the llitlit'l-l'zlll, an angularly disposed pulley for deflecting t-he hand-rail from the pulley engaging the return run to the horizontal end pulley to which it'passes, :1 guide in which the angularly disposed pulley rotatesand in which it is adapted to slide, and an adjusting yoke on which the said pulley is pivoted for sliding the pulley along the guide.

In testnnony whereof I aifix my signature 111 presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES D. SEEBERGER.

\Vitnesses H. BRADY, EDMUND E. FIELD, Jr. 

